Freestyle skier Laetaz Amihan Rabe will represent the Philippines as the flag bearer during the athlete parade at the opening ceremony of the fourth Winter Youth Olympic Games on Friday, January 19.
The games are scheduled to take place concurrently at the Gangneung Oval and PyeongChang Dome.
“Rabe’s event takes place a few days later, so she will be available to carry the flag,” commented Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), who arrived at the venue on Wednesday, January 17.
Rabe, a 14-year-old Filipino based in Switzerland, will represent the country alone during the parade. This is due to the fact that Peter Groseclose, 16, will participate in the 1,500 meters short track speed skating event on Saturday, and cross-country skier Avery Balbanida, expected to arrive on January 25, will compete towards the end of the month.
Recalling her reaction to being chosen as the flag bearer, Rabe’s father, Ric, said, “Her eyes widened, and her jaw dropped.”
“She was astounded and asked for advice on the best way to wave the flag,” he added.
Rabe’s first competition is the women’s slopestyle event scheduled for Wednesday, followed by another event on January 28, the big air at the WelliHilli Park Ski Resort in Hoengseong.
Groseclose has a packed schedule, competing in the 1,000 meters on Sunday and the 500 meters on Monday.
The third and final representative of the Philippines, 16-year-old Avery Balbanida, is due to arrive in South Korea on Thursday, January 25. His cross-country skiing event is scheduled towards the end of the month.
Due to the later scheduling of Rabe’s initial women’s slopestyle event on Wednesday, January 24, the POC deemed her suitable to undertake the role of carrying the flag during the parade.
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